THE GUN-TRAP OF THE GUIANA INDIANS. 



By G. E. Bodkin, B.A., F.Z.S., F.E.S. 



I propose in this paper to give a detailed description of the gun trap 

 which is commonly used in certain parts of the Colony by the Aboriginal 

 Indians. Personally, I have only seen it erected and used by Arawak 

 Indians in the vicinity of the coastlands ; I am unable to say whether a 

 similar contrivance is used by the other tribes of Indians in the remoter 

 parts of British Guiana. My experience of this method of procuring game 

 has been fairly intimate for on many occasions I have witnessed the 

 erection of such ' engines ' and also seen them achieve their purpose 

 in a most effective manner. 



The gun trap is a clever adaptation of the method used in the bow 

 and arrow trap which has been described and figured by Dr. Walter 

 E. Both in the Journal of the Boyal Anthropological Institute.* The 

 bow and arrow trap must have been in use for many years and is, 

 apparently, the original invention of the Aboriginal Indians of this 

 country. 



The gun trap is commonly used to slay acourie (Dasyprocta acouchi), 

 labba {Coelogenys paca), water cow, known locally aa tapir or maipouri, 

 (Tapirus terrestris) and deer, usually wibisiri, (Coassus memorivagus). 

 I have heard of it also being used agaiust the Capybara or Water Haas 

 (Hydrochaerus capybara) and the Jaguar (Felis onca). It is most 

 commonly and successfully used against the acourie aud labba. 



The method of setting the trap for labba is as follows. The first 

 uecessity is to find a well defined and regularly used labba track. About 

 Indian camps these are fairly common as this animal appears to prefer 

 an habitation in the vicinity of human beings and has a habit of gnawing 

 old bones or other rubbish which can always be found near or about 

 such places. 



When certain palms and forest trees are in fruit it is always certain 

 that at least one labba will know of it and nightly repair thence to 

 enjoy a good feed. 



The Awarra Palm (Astrocarywm tucumoides) when bearing ripe 

 fruit attracts both acourie and labba, likewise the Akuyuro Palm 

 (Astrocaryum tucuma). The Indians know that between March and 

 April every year these palms are bearing fruit and they consequently look 

 for the tracks of the game in the neighbourhood of such palms and set 

 their traps accordingly. 



Tracks through the bush, made by labba or acourie for instance, 

 arc readily distinguishable. Definite proof as to which animal is in the 



* Some technological notes from the Pomeroon District. British Guiana. Uy Walter E. 

 Both, Jour, of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Vol. XLI. Jau.-June. 1911, 



